Roomba 6xx and 5xx series

[Alex_G]

Hello, can anyone describe main difference betveen seria 5xx and 6xx. I just want to know if there is realy some majore advantage at Roomba 6xx (i think US model is 610 and EUR model is 625) against 5xx series (US 562, 570 and EUR 563, 581).

So what can 6xx series do that 5xx can't,... why to by 6xx?

Thanks!!!
Alex_G

[poconogal]

What the 610 can do is empty your wallet more. The difference is in accessories and warranty. You can do a comparison of 2 at iRobot's site, but the differences that come up are a 2 yr. warranty for the 610 vs. 1 yr. for a 570. The 610 also has an additional bin that has no vacuum, it is just a sweeper bin. They both have LHs, the 610 has a "rugged accessory case." The 610 has NO carrying handle. IMO, the only thing that might be worth the $150 difference between the two is the extra year's warranty. And if you don't need or want lighthouse capability, you can go for a lesser 500 series, a 560, which is on sale for $349, and regularly $379. Or get an iRobot remanufactured 560 for $249. For $399, you can get what is purported to be a 570, with LHs, and a lifetime warranty from Hammacher.

[Alex_G]

Thanks!

I did check that comparation on iRobot web, but as is did research, they also said that 6xx series have new software (about hardware i have no idea) and that battery last longer for 140m2 while for others Roomba is less than 80m2.
Also with 6xx you get remote control (581 in EUR also come with remote), wich at start sound stupid, but could be useful, when you have only one spot to do, you just drive it few times and than send it back to base (i know all have spot function, but side brush, can make some bad also at spot cleaning).

Also, 6xx should have some new sensorsto lift brushes when cleaning mat,...

So,... conclusuin,.. 6xx also should be "much" smarter than 5xx,... possible to be true?

Thanks,
Alex_G

[vic7767]

The 6XX Roombas still use the same modular components as the 5XX Roombas. There are no extra sensors for the Cleaning Head Module.

I suspect that there is no change in the firmware and battery run times may be longer if a larger capacity battery is included.

[Alex_G]

So on all what is possible to find on internet about 581 and 625, we can't find any difference (expect price, better battery life and dcolor) and 625 come with little more accessories in suitcase .

Vic, i saw that you already post alot on this form and that you're very familyar with Roomba robots, so i believe you know how is with that. I'll make one more call to iRobot today and i'll ask them to explain exact difference between this 2 models.

Alex_G

[Alex_G]

Ok, i succes to collect some information about 5xx and 6xx.

The only difference should be that 6xx is "profesional" and as PRO will com with nice suitecase and all possible accessories. And 6xx also have new "BRAIN" inside all other hardware is same (wheels, brushes,...).

So new brains (firmware) inside will alow 6xx to work 20% longer with same capacity battery. About electronics, i don't know if also different.

Regards,
Aelx_G

[poconogal]

20% longer working time with same battery capacity I don't think is worth $150! Don't know what battery they supply, but you can purchase a 3300 mAh battery from Metapo (that's what I purchased for $28), and I regularly get at least 2 hrs. and 15 mins. runtime from my 581, on wood floors but with 2 larger area rugs as well. In fact, I've gotten up to 2-1/2 hours runtime. There are also great battery deals on Ebay, many with 1 or 2 year warranties, and they are sold up to 3500 mAh. In the end though, if you feel you'd prefer the 610, then go for it!

[vic7767]

So new brains (firmware) inside will allow 6xx to work 20% longer with same capacity battery

It would appear that iRobot either has modified the firmware to pulse the drive motors and side brush and main brush motors in a more efficient manner to present less of a current demand on the battery and / or a better charging solution to not overheat the battery. The rest of the robot actions and features are the same as the 500 models.

Looks like a hacker could just install the 600 PCB in a 500 model and obtain a 20% increase in runtime.

[mfortuna]

If irobot has changed the PWM the motors may be spinning slower which may affect cleaning ability. It may improve motor life.

[tmnCA]

According to their website it is due to more efficient cleaning pattern, because it explores and "maps" a room first.

[poconogal]

Perhaps that's it! My 581 seems to do that as well. It definitely operates differently than the 4 year old 560 I have (which still works very well, too). Perhaps that's why I've gotten up to 2-1/2 hours. run time from my 3300 mAh battery, on approx. 850 sq. ft., comprised of hardwood and 2 areas rugs.

On rare occasions, the 581 will only clean 1/2 of the dining room and prematurely move into the next room. However, on its return trip to HB, it will clean the 1/2 of the dining room that it missed. It definitely concentrates on the 1/2 that it missed, so it seems its mapping something!

The 560, with supposedly the same battery, only gets about 1 hr. 15 mins. doing the same area. I say "supposedly the same battery" because I purchased it from a different source, and it is not actually marked as 3300 mAh on the battery, so I'm not sure if it actually is, or if I was sent a lesser battery. The battery I purchased from Metapo has been great, so far it's 8 mos., and really no discernable difference in run time.

[vic7767]

The 600 series Roomba does not map a room. It uses the same AWARE firmware that the 500 series Roomba has. Here is a quote from the iRobot site for the 600 model.

"Clean Mode enables the Roomba to calculate the room size and maximize the coverage-per-room based on information it receives through its sensors."

[tmnCA]

The 600 series Roomba does not map a room. It uses the same AWARE firmware that the 500 series Roomba has. Here is a quote from the iRobot site for the 600 model.

"Clean Mode enables the Roomba to calculate the room size and maximize the coverage-per-room based on information it receives through its sensors."

Not mapping like the Neato does, but it says it calculates room size and maximizes coverage for longer run time.

[Alex_G]

So after all we'll find out that theres is "maybe" some difference in software, but hardware together with PCB is totaly same as on 581, they jsut change color and add one suitecase.

And after all if that is true, 581 is not a bit behind 6xx and maybe will be also possibe to upload 6xx firmware into 581???

Anyone try to flash rommba 5xx???

Are you agree?

Regards,
Alex_G

[vic7767]

I suspect that in actuality, there is not difference in the firmware between the two Roomba series. It's all in the packaging, marketing, and accessories offered.

No one has flashed new firmware into either the 500 or 600 Roomba models. One OSMO flash was made available to a select few 500 international owners over 2 years ago for the Charging Error 5 issue.

[tmnCA]

So what is the real difference between the 563 (from Hammacher) and the 570?

[vic7767]

So what is the real difference between the 563 (from Hammacher) and the 570?

The 563 is a Roomba model made just for Hammacher to offer. The 570 is a Roomba model that can be purchased in several markets. The difference in the two models will be the accessories provided for each. Also the 563 has the lifetime warranty from HS and the 570 will have one year of warranty depending on where it is purchased.

[tmnCA]

So what is the real difference between the 563 (from Hammacher) and the 570?

The 563 is a Roomba model made just for Hammacher to offer. The 570 is a Roomba model that can be purchased in several markets. The difference in the two models will be the accessories provided for each. Also the 563 has the lifetime warranty from HS and the 570 will have one year of warranty depending on where it is purchased.

And it appears that the 563 came with "virtual walls" which are not useful to me, while the 570 will come with VW/lighthouses - which could potentially be useful? They really could make these models more straightforward!

[neo1az]

I just purchased a 570 series from HS. I use one Lighthouse between two rooms. Does anyone really know how it determines room size and run time per room? One room is very simple. The other room is more complex with a hallway off it with two small areas off the hallway.

Here is a link from iRobot:

http://homesupport.irobot.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/485/related/1

"CLEAN Mode enables the Roomba to calculate the room size and maximize the coverage-per-room based on information it receives through its sensors. Run time depends on room size, floor surface, and battery charge.

...

NOTE: When using Roomba 500 Series with Virtual Wall Lighthouses, Roomba will clean for approximately 25 minutes per room."


It seems that it is not appropriate to clean each room with 25 minutes of time as rooms vary in size and complexity.

Any help?

ps What is the 581? Is it the European version of the 570 series?

[mfortuna]

My guess on room size is the roomba keeps track of the longest distance travelled without a bump and then calculates the room size based on distance. The bigger the room, the longer the run time. There is no guarantee the roomba will completely cover a room.

The 25 minutes is a compromise. Since Irobot advertises x number of rooms cleaning a bility, they want to make sure the robot will cover the rooms and maybe not the total areas within a room.

If you schedule more than one mission per week odds are you will have a nice clean house.